Lambert had apparently been so frustrated and suffocated by the club’s stringent budget that he asked the American owner to be relieved of his duties over the summer, and again earlier on in the campaign.

He apparently told Lerner, in no uncertain terms, that the club would slide inevitably slide towards relegation under such strict financial regulations, but was ignored by the chairman, and instead offered him a four-year contract.

The 45-year-old was given the boot on Wednesday, just 24 hours after losing 2-0 to fellow relegation rivals Hull.

However, it has since been reported that he was given the boot by new CEO Tom Fox over the phone – something that had upset the ex-Norwich boss as he felt he was due more respect.

In a well worded statement through the LMA, Lambert sought to thank Randy Lerner and former CEO Paul Faulkner, but tellingly left Fox out.